Giles Dawnay is a writer, poet and GP from Herefordshire. This poem is one from his most recent collection, Must Be the Meds
For more details: www.gilesdawnay.com
As I stare at my patients today
Be there Wes Streeting I pray.
Make my looks kind
As they up me wind.
You’ll never know how it means so much
those days I can look and not touch.
Let the NHS shine through
In all I merrily do
So that those who are in need
May take their own lead
When it comes to not being able to poo.
Give to my thermos mug
caffeine and heat,
give to my hands
The odd non-diabetic treat.
Give to my ears
the ability to sieve
Give to my lips
words to help us both live
Give to me Wes
strength not to moan
and enable me
to pay the bills when I go home
NHS, please help me to bring
the energy not to cry but sing
Courage where there is fear,
Hope in the face of all the sugar, fags and beer.
Acceptance when the end is close,
of my precious break with its jam on toast.
And a gentle touch
in saying time to leave,
You’ve now had enough,
off you heave!
Featured photo by Nicholas J Leclercq on Unsplash.
